Larry King's death certificate confirms his primary cause of death was sepsis from an infection weeks after he recovered from COVID
Legendary broadcaster Larry King's cause of death has been confirmed as sepsis, likely triggered by a bacterial infection just weeks after he recovered from COVID-19.
King, 87, died on January 23, and his death was not directly related to his hospitalization for COVID-19 in December, according to his death certificate obtained by People.
The death certificate lists King's primary cause of death as sepsis, a deadly systemic shock that occurs when the body's immune system goes haywire, often in response to a minor bacterial infection. Old age and a weakened immune system are risk factors for sepsis.
Secondary causes of death were listed as acute hypoxic respiratory failure, which means a severely low level of oxygen in the blood, and end stage renal disease, also known as kidney failure. Both conditions are possible symptoms of sepsis.
Legendary broadcaster Larry King's cause of death has been confirmed as sepsis, likely triggered by a bacterial infection just weeks after he recovered from COVID-19
Days after King's death, his seventh wife Shawn Southwick, whom he married in 1997 and was in the midst of a divorce with at the time of his death, said that he had died of sepsis after he was unable to overcome an infection.
She told Entertainment Tonight: 'It was an infection, it was sepsis. Well, he was finally ready to go, I will tell you that.
'You know, he never wanted to go but his sweet little body was just, it had just been hit so many times with so many things and once we heard the word Covid, all of our hearts just sank.
'But he beat it, you know, he beat it, but it did take its toll and then the unrelated infection finally is what took him, but boy, he was not gonna go down easily.'
Southwick said she was thankful she was able to speak with King, the father of her sons Chance, 21, and Cannon, 20, on video call before his death.
Larry King's wife Shawn had said the TV icon died of sepsis and was 'ready to go' after a recent battle with Covid (pictured in 1997)
She also revealed his last words to her, telling her over a video call from hospital: ‘I love you, take care of the boys'.
She added the presenter was eager to tell his family, which also included his eldest child Larry Jr. from a previous marriage, that he loved them.
King had filed for divorce from Southwick in August 2019, nine years after they originally split before reconciling.
But she claims they were life partners and their divorce was never finalized.
King had two other children, Andy and Chaia, but they tragically passed away weeks apart last summer aged 65 and 51 respectively.
Despite his ailing health, King had continued hosting weekly talk show, Politicking with Larry King, until his death.
Larry King poses with his wife Shawn Southwick, and their sons Chance Armstrong (L) and Cannon Edward at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood in 2002
King is pictured with sons Cannon and Chance on Thanksgiving last November. King was reportedly moved out of the ICU on January 4 after being hospitalized with COVID-19 for more than 10 days, according to reports
'For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster,' Ora Media said.
Described as the 'Muhammad Ali of the broadcast interview', King conducted over 50,000 high-profile talks with presidents, world leaders, Hollywood royalty and sports stars during the course of his career that spanned over six decades.
He was also known for his string of high-profile romances and unsuccessful marriages, eight in total to seven different women, including Playboy Bunny Alene Akins.
King was buried in a small private ceremony. All in attendance wore suspenders in honor of his signature style.
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